Kentucky Speedway Unveils Fan-Inspired NSCS ‘Quaker State 400’ Trophy Design

Fan William Stohr of Sparta, Ky., submitted a contest-winning concept

SPARTA, Ky.– Kentucky Speedway unveiled its inaugural NASCAR Sprint Cup Series “Quaker State 400” trophy design inspired by fan William Stohr of Sparta, Ky., through a fan contest.

The 33-inch high, 22-inch wide, 30-pound trophy will blend Kentucky’s racing traditions by featuring a chrome-plated Thoroughbred bust with a flowing checkered-flag mane. The bust will be mounted on a tulip poplar wood pedestal to represent the official state tree and mounted to a stainless-steel base complete with a split-rail fence that depicts the Commonwealth’s signature rolling hills.

“Thinking about Kentucky and the speedway, I wanted to combine stock car racing with a Thoroughbred horse,” the 33-year-old Stohr said.

His design was chosen from 120 entries submitted by the enthusiastic Kentucky Speedway fan base since November 2010 and brought to life by designer, Murray, Ky., native and Univ. of Kentucky alumnus Rusty Wright, 44, through an association with Maryland-based Aquarius Sports Management. The trophy will be manufactured through Fast Forward Marketing of Spring, Texas.

Stohr will receive “Quaker State 400” tickets and will be present in Victory Lane July 9 when his creation is awarded to the speedway’s first Sprint Cup Series race champion.

“It’s pretty overwhelming to think that something that I created will be on a driver’s shelf,” Stohr added. The “Quaker State 400” will conclude the speedway’s historic opening weekend that opens July 7 with a 225-mile NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) event and continues July 8 with the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) “Feed The Children 300.”

Action returns to Kentucky Speedway Oct. 1 with the NCWTS “UNOH 225.” The event will be followed by an Oct. 2 doubleheader featuring an IZOD IndyCar Series 300-mile event and Firestone Indy Lights 100-mile sprint race.

Tickets, campsites along with Fan Zone pit road and infield passes for all 2011 Kentucky Speedway events can be reserved online at http://www.kentuckyspeedway.com, by calling 888-652-7223 or by visiting the speedway corporate offices at 1 Speedway Drive in Sparta, Ky., just off Interstate 71, Exit 57 and Ky. Hwy. 35 N.